This crossword No. 656 clues and answers were published on Sun 13 Apr 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 656 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Keep a watching brief : MONITOR
8-across – Avoidance; equivocation : EVASION
9-across – Cut short : CURTAIL
10-across – Pamper, spoil : INDULGE
11-across – Sea snail : WHELK
13-across – The power of existence? : LIFEFORCE
15-across – Submarine viewing aid : PERISCOPE
18-across – More than sufficient : AMPLE
21-across – Crucial, critical : PIVOTAL
22-across – Deep red : CRIMSON
23-across – Loss of memory : AMNESIA
24-across – Female bedwear : NIGHTIE
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Type of parrot : MACAW
2-down – Tend : NURSE
3-down – Job with little reward : THANKLESSTASK
4-down – Alleviation : RELIEF
5-down – Partially deaf : HARDOFHEARING
6-down – Cereal worker : MILLER
7-down – Extension, supplement : ANNEXE
12-down – Home to bees : HIVE
14-down – Curl, spiral : COIL
15-down – Tall slender tree : POPLAR
16-down – Having no fixed base : ROVING
17-down – Lubricant dispenser : OILCAN
19-down – Lay down as a principle : POSIT
20-down – Premium Bond selector : ERNIE
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.