The Guardian - Quick crossword No 13,612 - Dec 24 2013

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Clues Answers
Beautiful girl BELLE
Better IMPROVE
Casual trousers SLACKS
Chancellor of the Exchequer's responsibility? BUDGET
Characteristic of the 1890s FINDESIECLE
Erudite LEARNED
Excluded SHUTOUT
Futility USELESSNESS
Galled IRKED
Gourmet EPICURE
Lead (a team) CAPTAIN
Military rank COLONEL
On an even keel STEADY
Clues Answers
Permission LEAVE
Physical appearance LOOKS
Prepared for publication EDITED
Protective covering SHEATH
Put up ERECT
Slow down RETARD
Song type BALLAD
Sparred (anag) DRAPERS
Swedish currency unit KRONA
Tipped off ALERTED
Useful or valuable quality or possession ASSET
Weighing machine SCALES
Where Idris was king LIBYA