This crossword No. 9568 clues and answers were published on Tue 02 Jan 2001 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9568 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – All-over floor covering : FITTED
4-across – See 1 : CARPET
9-across – Longest river in China : YANGTZE
10-across – Sovereign : RULER
11-across – Hospital employee : NURSE
12-across – Person taken as security : HOSTAGE
13-across – Hire IRA band : HAREBRAINED
18-across – One of the Leeward Islands : ANTIGUA
20-across – Oriental rice dish : PILAU
22-across – Light paddle-propelled boat : CANOE
23-across – Transport – please : DELIGHT
24-across – Place of detention for young offenders : REMAND
25-across – See 24 : CENTRE
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – UFO : FLYING
2-down – Meaning – male singing voice : TENOR
3-down – Utmost : EXTREME
5-down – Tapestry : ARRAS
6-down – Plunder : PILLAGE
7-down – Capsized : TURNED
8-down – European kingdom, capital Amsterdam : NETHERLANDS
14-down – Word of opposite meaning : ANTONYM
15-down – Sudden inclination to act : IMPULSE
16-down – See 1 : SAUCER
17-down – See 7 : TURTLE
19-down – Permission to proceed : GREEN
21-down – See 19 : LIGHT
This crossword has in total 26 where 13 are across and 13 are down.