We have searched for beta-delayed fission in the decay of 2.3 min 23Spa produced in the 23SU(n,p) reaction with 14.7 MeV neutrons. Through microprocessor-controlled chemical separations of protactinium about 109 atoms of 238pa were isolated and exposed to fission track detectors. From the absence of fission tracks an upper limit for the betadelayed fission probability of 23apa, i.e. P~I<2.6 10 -s, is obtained at 95% confidence level. This rules out positive evidence for this decay mode of 238Pa reported elsewhere. Simple theoretical estimates of P~ range from 10-7 to 10 9.PACS: 23.40-s; 25.85-w.