This crossword No. 21991 clues and answers were published on Thu 31 Aug 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21991 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Initially operate sand to receive invisible creature’s head : OSTRICH
5-across – Laughed till bust in 12’s 19’s situation … : LUDGATE
10-across – See 5 : HILL
11-across – … whence gnat eats badly worried nine with much umbrage : MILLENNIUM
12-across – See 11 : BRIDGE
13-across – Bullish fashion statement? : NOSERING
14-across – Set to work to make a cheaper engine : TWOSTROKE
16-across – Supporters’ visits? : STAYS
17-across – Supporters’ goose step? : STRUT
19-across – Cardinal ends holding a red hat awkwardly in his seat : CATHEDRAL
23-across – Matthew’s part to play — no amateur in novel room : ATTHETOP
24-across – See 27 : MODERN
26-across – A vicar forged dead queen’s signature — one for the road! : CARAVANNER
27-across – Natter foolishly about feature back on the 15 : TATE
28-across – Victorian writer takes it from Labour politician : GASKELL
29-across – Antique pearls provide easy money : OLDROPE
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Where the fate of down-and-outs without energy is worked out : SKIDROW
3-down – Was 23, having straight lines : RULED
4-down – Arrival includes physical education by an equal : COMPEER
6-down – Hard as the bed of the one 23? : UNEASY
7-down – Made like Parmesan, about three points : GENERATED
8-down – Disclose your medieval sports : TOURNEY
9-down – Hard labour for pirate king having forty winks? : FLINTKNAPPING
15-down – The poorer nations put their money on the end of the 11 12 : SOUTHBANK
18-down – Russian girl’s farewell embrace of Scottish boy : TATIANA
20-down – Low sound that’s real, not straight from the shoulder : HUMERAL
21-down – Whence helicopters go off to Paris? : AIRSTOP
22-down – Letter-writer from twin city whose is opposite the 15 : STPAUL
25-down – Put off some French potatoes : DETER
This crossword has in total 29 where 16 are across and 13 are down.