This crossword No. 538 clues and answers were published on Sun 08 Jan 2006 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 538 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Compassionate : TENDERHEARTED
8-across – Flesh and blood : KIN
9-across – Register of events over time : CHRONICLE
10-across – Fascist revivalists : NEONAZIS
11-across – Responsibility : ONUS
13-across – Villainous act : INFAMY
14-across – Showy herbaceous perennial : BAHLIA
16-across – Afflict : HURT
17-across – Region of central France : AUVERGNE
20-across – Bend it, lad : BLINDDATE
21-across – Male swan : COB
22-across – Spread rumour : TITTLETATTLED
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Gift : TOKEN
2-down – One at odds with the Establishment : NONCONFORMIST
3-down – Cries out : EXCLAIMS
4-down – Lewis with ——, Hebridean island : HARRIS
5-down – Composer of Rule Britannia : ARNE
6-down – Mechanical : TECHNOLOGICAL
7-down – Of abyssal ocean areas : DEEPSEA
12-down – Constituency odds-on to be retained at an election : SAFESEAT
13-down – Live in : INHABIT
15-down – Fully informed : AUFAIT
18-down – Diminished : EBBED
19-down – Icon : IDOL
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.