This crossword No. 655 clues and answers were published on Sun 06 Apr 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 655 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Word reading same forwards and back : PALINDROME
7-across – Charged particle : NEUTRON
8-across – Imprecise : VAGUE
10-across – Notion : IDEA
11-across – Distress, injure : AGGRIEVE
13-across – Embrace, hug : CUDDLE
15-across – Shanks’s pony : ONFOOT
17-across – Outbreak : ERUPTION
18-across – Festival : GALA
21-across – Taut, strained : TENSE
22-across – Shiny food wrapping : TINFOIL
23-across – Dramatist : PLAYWRIGHT
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Puritan, prig : PRUDE
2-down – Entice : LURE
3-down – Immaturity : NONAGE
4-down – Respectful, deferential : REVERENT
5-down – Ignition apparatus : MAGNETO
6-down – Tactless : INDISCREET
9-down – In the fullness of time : EVENTUALLY
12-down – Insincere praise : FLATTERY
14-down – Daily : DIURNAL
16-down – Dabble; dawdle : POTTER
19-down – End prematurely : ABORT
20-down – Complication, drawback : SNAG
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.