This crossword No. 9296 clues and answers were published on Thu 17 Feb 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9296 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Secure – place to keep valuables : SAFE
3-across – Fighting : CONFLICT
8-across – Pile : HEAP
9-across – Of poor quality : INFERIOR
11-across – Not available, all sold : OUTOFSTOCK
14-across – List of printed mistakes : ERRATA
15-across – Prosper : THRIVE
17-across – One’s spouse : BETTERHALF
20-across – Friendly – retiring : OUTGOING
21-across – Forbidding : GRIM
22-across – Punctilious, insistent person : STICKLER
23-across – Cut : AXED
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Sherry glass : SCHOONER
2-down – False praise : FLATTERY
4-down – Decorated : ORNATE
5-down – Wind instrument : FRENCHHORN
6-down – Wading bird : IBIS
7-down – Ripped : TORN
10-down – : OFFTHEHOOK
12-down – Scar over healed wound cc : CICATRIX
13-down – Scented pp : PERFUMED
16-down – Posture : STANCE
18-down – Throw tt : TOSS
19-down – Small needle case e : ETUI
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.