This crossword No. 9712 clues and answers were published on Tue 19 Jun 2001 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9712 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Abstaining from alcohol : ONTHEWAGON
7-across – Weird – strange : UNCANNY
8-across – Arrive at – stretch of river : REACH
10-across – Game – bird : LARK
11-across – Exact time for launch of military action : ZEROHOUR
13-across – Persian king : XERXES
15-across – Climbed – peeled off : SCALED
17-across – Conductor charged with electricity – energetic person : LIVEWIRE
18-across – Exclude – neglect : OMIT
21-across – Female film star, Kim : NOVAK
22-across – Wine merchant : VINTNER
23-across – Cul-de-sac : BLINDALLEY
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Happen : OCCUR
2-down – Military vehicle – fuel container : TANK
3-down – Residence of the French President : ELYSEE
4-down – A country’s flying service : AIRFORCE
5-down – Having a winning streak : ONAROLL
6-down – US secret society, hostile to Blacks : KUKLUXKLAN
9-down – Ancestral : HEREDITARY
12-down – Rouse again from sleep : REAWAKEN
14-down – Renaissance – renewal : REVIVAL
16-down – Useless information – trifles : TRIVIA
19-down – Virile : MANLY
20-down – Shrub providing indigo : ANIL
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.