CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

2. Without extras, is put in a taxi going east to west (5)

5. It is securely fixed for Ramadan (4)

7. Be conversant with no sound (4)

8. Album might include vase showing a tree (8)

9. Deem it to be scored in error (8)

11. Publicity stunt may shortly give one the needle (4)

12. Prone to quarrelling at minute grave is constructed (13)

15. Made cold dice of it (4)

17. A flying body gets its energy with gas fuel (8)

19. Capricious pre-arrangement with poetry (8)

21. A tedious-sounding male of the species (4)

22. It is the essential point of the cross (4)

23. Gravel ridge reeks of it (5)

DOWN

1. Openness with which cheer-leader may get around (7)

2. Archer draws it, and it’s a tie (3)

3. Worthy of credit, yet one sold out (5)

4. Spiteful woman about to show all for the floor show (7)

5. Is in favour of turning up, being right (3)

6. Noisy way to drink or sup lager first and last (5)

10. It is fit to plumb the depths (5)

11. Grand, it may be, as a palace in France (5)

13. Give effect to fence, or destroy it (7)

14. A tramp given an allowance after five (7)

16. It’s plain the bank will pass the cheque (5)

18. To be an orator, leading senator goes to mountaintop (5)

20. Before ten, can half-live to harass one (3)

21. It serves one drinks for a pound (3) 21/4

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Brother-in-law 8. Littoral 9. Trio 11. Close 12. Epithet

13. Work 15. Tree 19. Tribute 20. Uncle 22. Hoop 23. Singular

24. Resting-place

2. Ratio 3. Trowel 4. Enamel 5. Lurcher 6. Whortleberry

7. Clock-watcher 10. Wit 14. Ruinous 16. Bud 17. Seeing

18. Cudgel 21. Colic

Down: