2: Chewed-up gum in tater -- how toothsome (5-8)
3: Composer employed in hotel garage (5)
4: Sailor seen in meager nighttime illumination (9)
5: ...or stuffed with the alternative (5)
6: Belgian port getting rid of an idiot (5)
7: Sea creatures with vocal powers (7)
10: Ships use up aid at sea; remain in a grave situation (4,2,7)
14: Famous gardens said to move one to speak. (3)
16: Metallic element forming excellent electrical connection (4,5)
17: Vet theatre opening 8-down (3)
18: Fancied whos coming to dinner, we hear (7)
20: Mr. Cobb gets badly riled, in the same old way (7)
22: I sent out a little map (5)
23: Five in Christmas story (5)
24: . . . or working with one group of stars (5)