Legal Definitions - quango

A quango, short for quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organization, is a type of administrative body that operates independently from the government but is partially funded and appointed by the government. In the United Kingdom, quangos are common and serve various purposes such as tourism, education, and healthcare.

• A tourist authority
• A university-grants commission
• A price-and-wage commission
• A prison or parole board
• A medical-health advisory panel

For example, a tourist authority may be a quango that promotes tourism in a specific region. While it is partially funded and appointed by the government, it operates independently and is not answerable to the government. Similarly, a medical-health advisory panel may be a quango that provides advice to the government on healthcare policies and practices.