This crossword No. 9375 clues and answers were published on Fri 19 May 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9375 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
5-across – Not good enough! : SUBSTANDARD
7-across – I beg your pardon? : WHAT
8-across – Fragrant blue shrub : LAVENDER
9-across – Not found on young shoulders : OLDHEAD
11-across – Tongue of fire : FLAME
13-across – Without equivocation : TRULY
14-across – Diatoms : MASTOID
16-across – Netherlands city : THEHAGUE
17-across – Donkey : MOKE
18-across – Destructive spirit : POLTERGEIST
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Aid : ABET
2-down – : ITALIAN
3-down – Villain – jack : KNAVE
4-down – It may be thrown down or run : GAUNTLET
5-down – : SCHOLARSHIP
6-down – Ideal pair of candidates at election : DREAMTICKET
10-down – Evil or terrifying place : HELLHOLE
12-down – Elizabethan explorer : RALEIGH
15-down – Best laid schemes … gang aft ____ : AGLEY
17-down – Chief : MAIN
This crossword has in total 20 where 10 are across and 10 are down.