The Week 734

[gvloved1]

I'm struggling to get in tune with the setter of this crossword, so would appreciate some help to make some headway:

9a New birches developed around medium soil (8) -E---R--
3d Self-governing territories cheat on underlings (9) D---N-----
6d Asians gamble on one inmetals (8) T---T-N-
17a Prince is roight about a con (8) -------R
20a Impact on kitchen department (12) ---E---S-I-N (I wondered if this is "REPERCUSSION", but couldn' make the cue work?)

Any ideas please?

[douglas9401]

3d: Dominions

[ladyalex]

9a Besmirch ? anagram of birches + m (edium)

[ladyalex]

17a Looks as though it should be Prisoner, but I cannot make the clue work either

[gvloved1]

Thanks douglas9401 and ladyalex. "Prisoner" looks good, although it's a very contrived clue.

[dr b]

6 tibetans
20 the percussion section is called the kitchen department

[gvloved1]

Thanks Dr B - you learn something new every day!

[wickham]

Yes, it is prisoner: PR for prince with IS then ONE for 'a' and finally R for right.