The paper deals with the initial value problem \[ (P)\quad \dot u(t)=Au(t)+A_ 1u(t-r)+\int^{0}_{-r}a(s)A_ 2u(t+s)ds+f(t),\quad 00)\), where u satisfies (P) with \(f=0\), and \(u_ t(s)=u(t+s)\), \(s\in [-r,0]\). Of special concern is the spectrum of the infinitesimal generator of S(t). The asymptotic behaviour of solutions of (P) where \(f=0\) is next investigated in the discrete delay \((A_ 2=0)\), and distributed delay \((A_ 1=0)\) case, respectively. As an application of the theory, a parabolic second order integrodifferential equation with delay is finally considered.