HS2 should be scrapped as it will only benefit London, MPs have argued.

The high speed rail project is a "catastrophic waste of money" which will "only chiefly benefit London", Conservative MP Philip Davies (Shipley) said.

The Government should look at the high speed rail network in France which has shown that such projects "suck more wealth and power" into large cities such as Paris, Labour MP Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) added.

However some MPs disagreed, arguing that HS2 would "rebalance the economy".

Mr Sheerman said: "The minister might know that I am a fierce opponent of this £100 billion that is going to be wasted on HS2.

"Has he looked at the research in France where we see high speed trains actually suck more power and wealth into the metropolitan area of Paris, rather than a renewal of the provincial towns?"

Responding, Business minister Nadhim Zahawi said there is "clearly division" over HS2.

Mr Zahawi said: "My honourable friend makes a powerful point, although his colleague to his right, the member for Manchester Central, was actually shaking her head, so clearly there's division about the benefits of HS2 which is why we have an independent review to tell us which way we should proceed."

Labour MP Lucy Powell (Manchester Central), who was sat next to Mr Sheerman and shaking her head in dismay at his suggestions, argued that northern cities like Manchester need HS2.

Ms Powell said: "Six regional heads of the CBI say that High Speed 2 should be built in full, and the Northern Powerhouse project recently published its excellent independent review which said the same, arguing that only HS2 can really rebalance our economy."

However, Tory Mr Davies claimed that most people in the North "accept that HS2 is a catastrophic waste of money".

Mr Davies said: "Can I urge the minister to ignore the siren voice opposite - most people in the North accept that HS2 is a catastrophic waste of money, a huge white elephant which is destroying the environment and the countryside and which will only benefit chiefly London, hence why it started out in London in the first place.

"Can I urge him therefore to tell the Secretary of State for Transport to scrap HS2, and crack on with the thing that will really benefit the economy which is the Northern Powerhouse rail or HS3 - connecting the North, which is what we need to benefit the North's economy?"

A review into HS2 was launched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in August and is due to be completed shortly.

Mr Zahawi said: "The independent Oakervee review will advise Government on High Speed 2, including potential business benefits and how it should proceed."