The Telegraph - CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO: 23,931 - Dec 20 2002

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Clues Answers
A crook or awl LAWBREAKER
A shabby fellow, the midfielder! SCARECROW
A Welsh town's unusually hard year Rhayader
Affecting dignity but restoring order TIDYING
Bearing on embassy issue EMISSION
Competition within the board may be detected TRACEABLE
Decide upon a painter to portray a Greek heroine ELECTRA
Depression about a rebel failing DECADENT
Desert people struggle to make progress in it RATRACE
Determined to take traps back inside through lounge PERSISTENT
Dishonest proclivity BENT
Express contempt for fake MOCK
Farmers giving military personnel spare produce REAPERS
Gather for a service in church AMASS
List as the sole mate HEEL
Love-note - with X added frequently OFTEN
Clues Answers
Many getting behind spun a tale but set out TABULATED
Might appear later by boat - simple clue, that! ARTLESS
Musicians' go-slow LARGO
Noisy draughtsman? PLANGENT
Overcharge for a bird ROOK
Preacher's address given quite some time after parking offence PARSONAGE
Shock beginning to French article STARTLE
Some children rolled up to register ENROL
Still having nothing to argue about? MOTIONLESS
Stores of arrow-heads PILES
Tenants must keep watch in inferior housing LESSEES
The better sailor left with little hesitation ABLER
The refuse appears wet - exceptionally so WASTEPAPER
The slow pace of the medico in drink AMBLE
The youngster takes it for an old measure CUBIT
Urge to hold a supporter up? Rubbish! GARBAGE