2575: Problem XIII

Singers will know that where ‘Q’ = ‘the number of’: Q34/22A x Q41/39/1D x Q3/8/38 = Q the 14. 41/39/1D is a 7D. 3/8/38 is four words in total.

Across

1 Ship transported new preemies (11)

7 Salary drama lecturer forfeited (3)

11 Parrot crosses centre for orris plants (6)

13 A smart criminal and former scholar (7)

15 Hard-up duke ditched rotten rowing boat (5)

17 Smart subaltern’s snazzy sword guard (5)

18 Woman with floor-covering HM adopts (6)

19 Female Irish scholar (4)

21 Garish German brightened unknown Yankee (6)

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Britain is living beyond its means

23 Test out very good new tile (7)

29 Quiet old fellows gradually relax (4,3)

31 Judge with sex appeal gets facelift (5)

32 Assets the law regulated (6)

37 Gross ogler becomes more mature (6)

40 Note from former king (5)

43 Plants old husband planted amid rubber trees (6)

44 Prince spots missing hydrant (3)

45 Reviver animated surer cleric (11)

Down

2 Benevolent creature absorbs commonplace salts (8)