mlewis, as you can see, not everyone has access to the puzzle. I'll do them this time - re the pattern @ 1a, bear in mind Mamya's post -
1a How to start recycling paper showing where minister stands (6) P?L?I?
7d Fuel driver smells - what are the odds? (6) D?E?E?
21d Painter almost ready on time (5) M?N?T
That was my 27th (I counted this time) attempt to type the submission. I have been inundated with the "answerbank cannot respond to long-running script problem.