Tynwald approval is not needed before the release of special Manx coins, Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan has revealed.

He defended the position after an MHK hit out at the fact that a Tynwald order for commemorative TT coins was put down after the coins had already been released.

Clare Bettison (Douglas East) sought an explanation at Tuesday’s House of Keys.

Mr Cannan said the Tynwald order was not one that required approval.

The minister said: ’The approval for coins involves a number of stages, including approval from Buckingham Palace.

’The final stage in the process is Treasury approval, and the order is effective from this date. It is at this point that the coins are minted.’

On this occasion, final Treasury approval was granted on May 17 and the coins went into circulation on May 22.

’However, legislation states that the order must be laid before Tynwald now to allow members transparency and give sight of the Order and enable a chance for review,’ he added.

But Miss Bettison asked whether there was any point in having the Tynwald order if it was not necessary for the production to go ahead.

Mr Cannan defended the system.

’I think it is a matter of having due respect to Tynwald and ensuring that Tynwald does have proper sight of the process that has been followed and the coin that is in issue,’ he said.

Earlier this year, Miss Bettison raised concerns after Tynwald approval was granted for a commemorative Year of Our Island £5 coin, which designed but never actually produced, leaving would-be collectors bemused.