This crossword No. 21978 clues and answers were published on Wed 16 Aug 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21978 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – One begins running, jumping the gun : STARTING
5-across – See 1 : PISTOL
9-across – Bearing cost of sending goods : CARRIAGE
10-across – Limit trade union backing more than any other : UTMOST
11-across – Even rate changes weaken : ENERVATE
12-across – Tongue of stout shoe : BROGUE
14-across – Insect on filthy drink container : BLUEBOTTLE
18-across – Newly built big ride is carrying 50 flying things : DIRIGIBLES
22-across – See customer wanting 50% off tree : LOCUST
23-across – Verify having circulated live data : VALIDATE
24-across – Marine went ahead and stopped up : SEALED
25-across – Act to rid movement of oppressive person : DICTATOR
26-across – Charge for borrowing caused understandable concern : SIMPLE
27-across – See 26 : INTEREST
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – One hundred soldiers in blue, worthy of respect : SACRED
2-down – Pair mentioned to some of the pilots : AIRMEN
3-down – To steal this the day before is pointless : THIEVE
4-down – Dark suit for entertainers? : NIGHTCLUBS
6-down – Bury pensioner, first to look up police organisation : INTERPOL
7-down – Still with back-street ideas? : THOUGHTS
8-down – Learned to describe seaside rock? : LETTERED
13-down – Commission cut, got about a grand back : DELEGATION
15-down – Adores having doilies scattered on top of sideboard : IDOLISES
16-down – Declare pit leader’s on edge about coal production : PROCLAIM
17-down – Urge female students to paint : EGGSHELL
19-down – Goodness! Six regret going round the West End! : VIRTUE
20-down – Fight club over title it lost : BATTLE
21-down – Feel sorry when soldiers get to guard Roundhead : REGRET
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.