Local Motorhead Star Rocks Parliament

3.08.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd May 2007

One of the country's leading rock and roll musicians - Eddie Clarke, lead guitarist with the band Motorhead - was cited on Monday in a parliamentary exchange on copyright for musicians.

Both Vincent Cable, MP, and the chair of the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee raised his experience when discussing the issue of whether performers should be allowed more than 50 years copyright on their recordings (as happens in the USA). Eddie explained that for pop singers who created their successful work in their 20's, their main income - royalties - would dry up in old age because of the 50 year rule.

Vincent Cable said: "I hadn't realised until a few weeks ago that Eddie is a local resident. He isn't one of the rich super stars but one of the many talented musicians who get a raw deal from record companies and modest royalties. I can see why the government is reluctant to change the law to boost the income of Elton John or Cliff Richard but there are ways in which a more restricted copyright extension can be granted which would help Britain's session and backing musicians and performs like Eddie.