British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]
The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.
- 2nd reading
- Lord Weir of Ballyholme
- 5 June 2026
- 9 September 2026
What the bill does
A Bill to affirm and protect the sovereignty of the United Kingdom over the Chagos Islands and the British Indian Ocean Territory; to make provision restricting the cession or transfer of sovereignty without the approval of Parliament and without the consent of the Chagossian people; to provide for the protection of the Territory’s strategic and defence importance; and for connected purposes.
Progress through Parliament
- 1st reading5 JUN 2026 · LORDS
- 2nd reading (current stage)23 OCT 2026 · LORDS
- Committee stage
- Report stage
- 3rd reading
- Royal Assent
What 2nd reading means, and what happens next
Second reading is the first full debate on the principle of the bill. The House votes on whether it should proceed at all.
If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.
Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at second reading of a bill
Official bill page on parliament.uk
Questions about the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]
- What stage is the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] at?
- The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.
- Has the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] become law?
- Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is currently at 2nd reading.
- What happens next to the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]?
- If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.
- Who sponsored the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]?
- The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] was sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme.
- When was the British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] introduced?
- It was introduced to Parliament on 5 June 2026, at first reading.
Other bills at 2nd reading
- Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] · Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
- House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber) Bill [HL] · Baroness Smith of Llanfaes
- Covid-19 Vaccine Damage Payments Bill · Sir Christopher Chope
- Citizenship Education Bill [HL] · Lord Carter of Haslemere
- Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill [HL] · Baroness Stowell of Beeston
- Regulated Professions (Freedom of Speech) Bill [HL] · Lord Moynihan of Chelsea
Emily watches this bill for her clients: alerts when it moves, briefings on what it means, and who to talk to about it.
Get Emily on your issues