New rules to curb unwanted and unsolicited e-mail should be in force by the end of October, according to a junior industry minister.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville told peers ministers intended to implement strict new rules about how personal e-mail details are used.

From October, a European Union directive will make unsolicited e-mails illegal across member states.

The government is currently consulting with industry on the recommendations.

Under the directive unsolicited e-mails may only be sent to individuals for direct marketing purposes and "with their prior consent" or where there is an existing customer relationship.

Spam accounts for as much as 40% of global e-mail traffic.

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