Some answers to the following should help me in my quest for the elusive theme, please! Many thanks!
ACROSS: 18 One races by whichever French province ( 6 ) :????N? (Just can't see the French province!)
40 Bound dictionary half-ruined internally ( 7 ) : O???G?D
DOWN: 8 Having picked up offence, Blair perhaps adjusting tune ( 7 ): S?????Y
9 Great leg-over I see! ( 5 ) : M????
32 Former penal colony ( 6 ) : ????N?