The EU is to have 25 member countries from May

States members also want to know about controls on people already in Jersey who will no longer need work permits once their countries become EU members.

The Policy and Resources Committee said job and housing rules will be in force.

But the concern of some is not the number of people who may come to work, but how many dependants they may bring.

Stretching resources

The countries that will be joining on 1 May are: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

It will take the EU's membership from 15 countries to 25, increase its population by one fifth to 450 million, and make it the world's biggest single market.

Although the island is not a member of the European Community, it will come into line with the UK when the new countries join.

Policy and Resources Committee president Senator Frank Walker said people will be subject to the same job and housing rules as any other person from the European Union.

But some States members are concerned any new families which come to the island with new workers may stretch resources on the island.

Senator Stuart Syvret said: "We cannot control them bringing their dependants to the island.

"When this last happened, when the requirement fell away in respect of the Portuguese community, they were then able to bring families over.

"In one stroke, the school population went up by 500 children."

Politicians are set to debate proposals for a migration policy in April.