A Bill to make provision about sovereignty and constitutional arrangements in respect of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago; to prohibit the making of payments of public funds to the government of another country in connection with the sovereignty or constitutional arrangements of the British Indian Ocean Territory, unless authorised by Parliament; to require the Secretary of State to consult and engage with British Chagossians in relation to any proposed changes to the sovereignty and constitutional arrangements of the British Indian Ocean Territory; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
Priti PatelConservative
26 February 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Bill deals with sovereignty and constitutional arrangements for the British Indian Ocean Territory (the Chagos Archipelago). It would stop public funds being paid to another country's government in relation to BIOT sovereignty or constitutional matters unless Parliament approves, and it would require the Secretary of State to consult and engage with British Chagossians on any proposed changes to BIOT’s sovereignty or constitutional arrangements.
The bill is currently at its second reading in the House of Commons, indicating it is in the early stages of passage and has yet to go through Committee, Lords consideration, and further readings.
Generated 21 February 2026
10 Jun 2025
17 Apr 2026
The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 17 April 2026, although the House of Commons is not expected to be sitting on that date.
This is a Private Members' Bill and was presented to Parliament on Tuesday 10 June.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
