No. I remember the cake in question from my early years in Golders Green. It was indeed puff pastry, with a topping of toasted dessicated coconut. I too have not seen it outside the smoke.
Manchester Tart is a shortcrust pastry case, filled with confectioner's custard. Some put the raspberry jam on the bottom of the pastry case, others make a hole in the custard and put the jam in the middle. Some put toasted dessicated coconut on top, and others use glace cherries.