It's in the hands of 16 MPs

by Claire Hu These are the 16 MPs who will sit on the Licensing Bill's committee stage. They will decide the final shape of the Bill before it returns to the House of Commons on 20 May. This process will take up to 25 days. The MA takes a look at their backgrounds and how friendly they are to the pub trade. Dr Kim Howells Labour Licensing Minister, MP for Pontypridd. He is opposed to the drinks industry being forced to pay for extra policing, but has courted controversy for accusing the trade of encouraging binge drinking through "crazy price promotions". Nick Harvey Lib Dem spokesman on culture, MP for North Devon. Has put his weight behind the campaign to keep live music deregulated. Describes the current licensing system as "archaic and complex." John Grogan Labour MP for Selby. Known as one of the pub trade's biggest supporters. He has campaigned for licensing reform since being elected in 1997. A Camra award winner and former PR of Leeds City Council, he was behind its 24 Hour European City promotion campaign. Malcolm Moss Shadow Minister for culture, media and sport. Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire. Former health and social services minister, he handled the controversial deregulation of licensing in Northern Ireland in the 90s to bring opening hours in line with the mainland. Mark Field Conservative MP for Westminster. He represents an area with a reputation for restrictive policies against the trade and could prove to be the thorn in the side of deregulation. Has called for the cap on licence fees to be lifted to ensure councils can afford better legal advice against the industry. Bob Blizzard Labour MP for Waveney. A former teacher and leader of Waveney District Council, he has campaigned on local issues and education. Currently parliamentary private secretary to Nick Brown, Minister for Work. Jane Griffiths Labour MP for Reading East. Known as one of the new "Labour ladettes", Griffiths was the first woman to be elected vice chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and supports the relaxation of licensing laws. Has called for legalised brothels. David Crausby Labour MP for Bolton, North East. He is political secretary of the National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs and has an interest in how the Licensing Bill will affect clubs. He says the system must not allowed to become fragmented in the hands of councils, "especially when it comes to fees". Mark Hoban Conservative MP for Fareham, Opposition whip. Worked as a chartered accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a member of the Science and Technology Committee select committee. Kevan Jones Labour MP for North Durham. A committed trade unionist with a special interest in employment issues. Former chairman of the public health committee at Newcastle City Council, he was responsible for public entertainment licences. Fraser Kemp Labour MP Houghton and Washington East, Assistant Government Whip. A former civil servant and Labour Party organiser. Andrew Turner Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight. A former teacher who later became an education consultant and then head policy and resources at Southwark Council. Martin Linton Labour MP for Battersea. PPS to Minister for the Arts, Baroness Blackstone. The former journalist supported Camra's National Pubs Week and is known as a keen supporter of British beer and pubs. Has been involved in campaigns to save locals in the Battersea area. Jim Knight Labour MP for South Dorset. A former manager of an arts studio, he supports the liberalisation of live music and performances. Believes staggered openings will help relieve pressure on police resources. Adrian Sanders Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay. Spokesman for tourism, local Government and housing. Supports deregulation but is concerned that "liberalisation does not become a licence for increased drunkenness and anti-social behaviour." Graham Stringer Labour MP for Manchester Blackley. Has a reputation for being a political bruiser. Was the former leader of Manchester City Council, when he helped save the Hacienda nightclub from closure by giving it a glowing reference in court.