JUDGMENT

Lord Keith of Kinkel:

This appeal and cross-appeal from the Federal Court of Malaysia are concerned with the validity of an award dated 7 February 1980 made by the Collector of Land Revenue, South West District, Penang, the appellant, purporting to assess compensation due in respect of the compulsory acquisition by the State Authority of certain lands owned by the respondents.

Section 3 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960, as amended, provides that the State Authority may acquire any land which is needed for inter alia any public purpose. Sections 4 to 6 provide for preliminary notification in the Gazette as to land likely to be needed for any of the purposes referred to in s. 3, for entry to and survey of such land, and for compensation to be paid for any damage caused by such entry and survey. Section 7 provides for the submission to the State Authority by the Collector of Land Revenue of a plan showing the particular lands which it is necessary to acquire and a list of such lands.

Section 8(1) provides:

(1) When the State Authority decides that any of the lands referred to in s. 7 are needed for any of the purposes referred to in s. 3, a declaration in Form D shall be publ