Lord Wilson, the former cabinet secretary, told MPs yesterday that the former ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer and the former Downing Street spin doctor Lance Price had been wrong to publish their memoirs.

He told the Commons public administration committee, which is investigating whether new rules should be brought in, to curb instant memoirs: "There clearly are cases at the moment which if I was [still] cabinet secretary would be causing me dismay."

Lord Wilson was not keen, however, to introduce laws banning memoirs, saying he believed that most civil servants were still "good chaps" and honourable in their dealings. But he did agree that the ministerial and civil service codes should be strengthened to remind people of their duty of confidentiality.

Lord Wilson felt Sir Christopher's comments on people still active in public life - such as calling the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, a "pygmy" - were offensive. "I think that is disloyal and ill-judged and I think he probably regrets it now."

He was more critical of Lance Price, whose racy comments in his book led to the Cabinet Office trying to tone it down. "I think the spectacle of civil servants rushing forward into print for money is very distasteful. The interests of publishers do not override the interests of good government."

Sir Christopher and Mr Price have been asked to give evidence next month to the committee, chaired by a Labour MP, Tony Wright, which is expected to issue a critical report. During questioning Mr Wright made no secret that he thought the memoirs had gone too far.